Pervez Musharraf has pitched for transfer of 'killer drones' to his country so that it can take on the militants without the help of West.
Though Al-Qaeda has been "significantly diminished" in Pakistan, Taliban are thriving, former president Pervez Musharraf has said and pitched for transfer of 'killer drones' to his country so that it can take on the militants without the help of West.
"They (drones) have been controversial always. I personally believe that drones should be given to Pakistan because the sensitivity is to American troops or any foreign troops coming into Pakistan," Musharraf told FOX News.
Similar demands have been made by president Asif Ali Zardari, prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. But United States, which is the only country in the world to have armed drones, has not even shared this technology with its closest allies -- UK and Israel.
He said Al-qaeda "has been significantly diminished in Pakistan, but the Taliban is thriving" and that he believes that the armed UAVs used by the US to target key militants in Pakistan should be handed over to his country.
The predator drones have given a big boost to American hunt for Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants in Pakistan's restive tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.
At least 400 militants, including Pakistan Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud and six other top Al-Qaeda commanders, have been killed in the drone attacks in the last seven months.
Musharraf, who was a key ally of the US' war against terror, said he had joined hands acting in good faith for Pakistan -- not for American benefits.
"It was not for United States alone... it was for Pakistan," he said.
He said Talibanisation of Pakistan will not be accepted by the people and described as a right decision the current military offensive against militants.
The former military ruler believes a combination of military might and political solutions will ultimately destroy the Taliban, whom he called a "desperate band of militants with no frontline".
"They (Taliban) are digging their own grave by making Pakistanis turn away from them," he said.
Citing the happenings in Swat valley which was once a Taliban stronghold, Musharraf said the Taliban had a "very cruel behaviour in Swat -- including the harsh imposition of religious law and slaughter of innocents" which had appalled the entire nation of 172 million people.
Pakistan is united and remains an American ally, but a growing divide is emerging because Pakistanis generally don't like the US, Musharraf said.
"For 42 years, until '89, we were the strategic partners of the West," he said, claiming the "lead role" of Pakistan in the Afghanistan War that lasted from 1979 until 1989.
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